Ester Marsh: Do you have a healthy prostate?

Yes, this column is for our men, and for the women who suspect their loved one is dealing with prostate issues. So, what is a prostate? It's a small walnut-size gland only found in men. It's below the bladder and above the penis. It helps with all the functions of the penis. As men age, it is normal for the prostate to grow some. How do you know when it is not normal? Of course, a screening with your doctor is the best way. The age of 50 is recommended to start the screening, or 40 for high-risk individuals, such a prostate cancer in their families or urinary challenges. Today, I will talk about enlarged prostates, not prostate cancer (I will tackle this another time). An enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), can mess up all kinds of functions. Some common symptoms can be a weak stream when urinating, frequent urination and/or difficulty starting to urinate. With an enlarged prostate, you can be prone to UTIs (urinary tract infections) due to the bladder not emptying fully. Urinary retention, which is an emergency, is where the bladder can't empty itself and needs a catheter. Kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence are a few problems, just to name a few. You cannot completely prevent the prostate from enlarging because it is part of the natural aging process and hormonal changes. Yes, those also happens in men! To be proactive and lower your risk, exercise! Once again, exercise is the go-to. Control your weight — obesity is linked with enlarged prostates. Also, eat foods which reduce the inflammation. Limit your red meats and dairy, add plant-based protein to your diet, and healthy fats such as salmon, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Add foods with lycopene (a great antioxidant) — these are fruits and vegetables with vibrant colors (bell peppers, asparagus, red cabbage, leafy greens, tomatoes, grapefruit, watermelon, papaya and mangos). Reduce caffeine and alcohol, as they are diuretics and can irritate the bladder. An enlarged prostate already squeezes your bladder and getting a full bladder faster makes it harder to fully empty. Even certain medications can aggravate this. If you think you are dealing with an enlarged prostate, go see your doctor. Be proactive, they can guide you what to do if the prostate is enlarged. With regular check-ups, healthy eating, exercise and maybe even physical therapy for the bladder, you will be able to slow the growth and manage your symptoms better. The worst thing you can do is keep that pink elephant in the middle of your life. I promise you, you are not alone! Ester H. Marsh is director of healthy living at the J.F. Hurley Family YMCA.